Peters



(No Model.)

W. D. SPENCER.

- LOGK. No. 335,648. Patented Feb. 9, 1886.

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WILLIAM D. SPENCER, OF MIDDLETOW'N, ASSIGNOR TO THE RUSSELL Ell- INMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NE\V BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT.

LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 335,648, dated February9, 1886.

(No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. Srnncnn, of Middletown, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Locks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of locks whichcontain a series or set of transverse tumblers arranged in a revolvingcylinder, and adapted to lock said cylinder by engagement of the ends ofthe tumblers with the surrounding case of said cylinder, the same beinggenerally known under the name of cylinder-locks.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of the main partsof my lock, with a horizontal section of the case which incloses thecylinder. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same on line 00 x ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the same without the case,the plane of section being indicated by line y y of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4is a plan view of the tumbler-shoe.

This class of looks is so well known that I consider it unnecessary torepresent the bolt work of the lock and its connection with thetumbler-cylinder A and its case B. The cylinder A has the ordinarylongitudinal slot for the reception of a flat key. It is also slottedthrough transversely to its axis, and a series or set of flat tumblers,a, is placed within said slot. These tumblers, as in other locks of thisclass, are of a length corresponding to the diameter of the cylinder, sothat they may be held with their ends flush with the periphery of thecylinder; but when not so held one of their ends will project into oneof the notches in the case B and lock the cylinder against rotation.

The general form of the tumblers is shown in Fig. 2. The lower left-handcorner engages a shoulder or rib, 1), within the slot in the cylinder,and limits the downward movement of the tumblers. Said tumblers are alsoprovided with a key-hole, so that they may be lifted by the edge of aproperly-bitted key, as in other locks of this class. At the upper endof the tumblers shoulders are formed on both sides, and plates (which Iterm the tumbler-shoes) c are placed over said shoulders, said platesbeing long enough to extend over the entire set of tumblers. A spring,(I, is secured to the cylinder, with its ends resting upon therespective tumblershoes, with a constant tendency to press said shoesagainst the shoulders of the tumblers, and thereby properly press thetumblers in the opposite direction from that in which they are moved bythe key, the one double spring serving to thus press all of thetumblers.

In order to prevent the tumbler-shoes from working endwise so far as tobind either end against either wall of the slot within which they work,I provide each shoe with a side lug, e, and let said lug into a slot, f,Figs. 1

and 2, in the cylinder. This allows the shoe free play to rock or moveup and down as the tumblers are successively moved by the key, and atthe same time prevents the shoe from moving endwise.

I prefer to employ a double spring, two shoes, and shoulders upon bothsides of the tumblers; but the shoe and spring may, if desired, beapplied to tumblers having only one set of shoulders or bearing-surfacefor a single shoe to act upon.

The terms lower, downward, upward, and lifted, as herein used, refer tothe look when it is in the position illustrated in 2 and I am aware thatsheet-metal tumblers have been heretofore employed in pin tumbler locks,and that they are pressed in one direction by springs when so used, andI hereby disclaim the same.

I am also aware that the patent to inn, No. 151,461, May 26, 1874, showsa lock having tumblers which move longitudinally in a lengthwisedirection of the cylinder, a block or follower arranged in guides so asto prevent rocking, and a single spring, common to all the tumblers,bearing upon said block, and I hereby disclaim the same.

By my invention I am enabled to make the shoe rock and press against allof the tumblers, so that the spring (whether it is double or single)serves as a common spring for a whole set of tumblers, and I am alsoenabled to place the tumblers side by side in direct contact with eachother, there being no necessity for any intervening portion, and therebyI can make a lock with a given number of ICO tumblers in a shortercylinder than can be employed in prior locks having a separate springfor each tumbler.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a lock of the class described, thecombination of the tumblershoe having the side projection, the set oftumblers upon which said shoe rests, a spring bearing upon the shoe, andthe cylinder having a slot to receive said :0 side projection,substantially as described, and

for the purpose specified.

